The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-07-29


II see that you've cut your eye
teeth, my boy" he said, with an ap-
proving smile, sand it's always well to
be on ones guard. while there is so
much dishonesty in the world. On the
WHOLE continued Mr.. Jones, after an
instant's reflection, '.your plan is best,
SO suppose we have breakfast together
at a restaurant first of all, and then I'll
take you up to the Office where Rich
ards is"
"All right" returned Tad, briefly,
with more particular reference to the
certainties of something to eat, what
ever other uncertainties might be in
store for him. And. secretly. Tad felt
quite able to take care of himself,
even though every thing was not all
right-which he had no particularly
well-detined reasons for doubling.
As they walked along together
through the busy thoroughfares Mr..
Jones chatted agreeably Of the men and
things encountered on the way. He
hoped Tad would not get cold through
the sudden change of climate. as the raw
easterly wind swept sharply round the
corners If the irregular streets, and he
even offered to carry the sachel for him,
SO that Tad might keep his hands warm
by putting them in his pockets. But
Tad replied: Oh, no-hc didn't mind
the wind; he guessed he could stand it
as well as other fellows could that went
round the Hub"
Mr.. Jones, with his perpetual smile.
said something about "capital pun"
and led the way into large eating
house. where, at the lunch-counter.
Tad speedily began discussing q break
fast which was proportioned to his APP
petitc-thanks to Mr.. Jones, who him
self seemed to do ample Justice to the
coffee, cakes. beefsteak and fried pota-
toes which he had ordered for both.
But, hungry though he was. Tad did
not forget to occasionally glance from
the corner of his eye at the little sachel
on the counter. near his plate. He had
fully decided not to let it 60 out Of his
keeping for ono moment, until it was
returned to the proper owner.
CuriOusly enough. Mr.. Jones. who
sat next him. occasionally glanced in
the same direction from the corner Of
his eye. Though, after all. this was
not SO surprising ON the part of the
partner Of Richards, the absent-mind-
ed. He was probably thinking of the
law-papers contained in the sachel.
All at once. Tad. with his mouth full
of buttered roll. looked up. uttered an
exclamation. and. slipping from his
STOOL hurried toward the door,
through which Mr.. Jones-who had
thrown down his checks, together with
. silver dollar, as he went by the cash
ier's desk-was passing. His head was
bent as if in deep thought. and in his
hand was the alligator-skin sachel.
CHAPTER III
Tad. who WAS stout-hearted and
swift-footed, rather Unexpectedly con-
fronted Mr.. Jones on the pavement in
front Of the restaurant, just as he was
hailing bus. 81 say" cried Tad, ex-
citedly; ''none of that, you know-give
me back my sachel!'
Mr.. Jones started. stared very hard
at Tad. as though he were trying to
remember where he had seen him be-
fore, and then looked at the sachel in
his hand. "Well, declarer' he ex-
claimed. in seeming surprise. II must |
have taken this up in fit Of abstrac-
ton and walked out, without thinking |
of you at all. my lad"
Tad shrugged his shoulders. 81
want my sachel," he said, stoutly. as q |
little knot of people began to gather.
"Tour sachel." repeated Mr.. Jones.
with shadowy sheer; ''come, now,
that's too
AT your old games again. are you.
Edwards?" interrupted quietly su-
thoritative voice. Its owner was a
small, thin-faced man. in citizens dress,
who. stepping forward as he spoke,
gently touched Mr.. Jones' shoulder. to
that gentleman's visible discontinue.
rs this yours, boy?" continued the
speaker. addressing Tad and touching
the sachel with the tip of small whale
bone cane.
Tad nodded eagerly. Strictly speak
lng. it was not his. but. for obvious
reasons, Tad forbore further explana-
lions.
Hand it over" sid the small man.